Bexhill nursery dreams crushed by council

Campaigners who have been fighting to save a nursery say they are ‘extremely disappointed’ the council has rejected their bid to take over the facility.

Bexhill Family Collective was set up in August by parents to fight council plans to close Cygnets, in Egerton Road, and Rainbow Childcare Centre in Sidley.

The group successfully opened the Dragonflies Community Nursery at the old Rainbow site in March.

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But last week the Collective’s bid for the second nursery was rejected by East Sussex County Council.

Rother District Councillor Jay Brewerton, who has been heavily involved in the campaign, said: “It is essential for all parents, now and in the future, that we have truly affordable childcare in the town centre.

“I am extremely disappointed we have been unable to achieve retaining this nursery in the current Edgerton Park building, due to a variety of factors.

“A number of stakeholders and partners having supported me, including a local philanthropist, Eddie Izzard and our local MP Huw Merriman, have all collaborated together for months along with the Family Collective. I am extremely grateful, and wish to thank each and all for both their time and valuable input that has been given.

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“Both ESCC officers, RDC officers and RDC ward councillors and myself, have worked extremely hard on securing a solution, ensuring this remained as a nursery in our community. We are discussing what other options remain.”

A spokesperson for ESCC said: “Interested parties were required to submit detailed proposals by late February 2021.

“The deadline for proposals was extended a number of times but an acceptable proposal has yet to be received for a nursery facility, and an alternative proposal for Egerton to be used for a children’s health community facility is now being progressed.”